CINCINNATI --- Xavier University men’s basketball head coach Chris Mack announced today the signing of Trey Couch from Liberty Township, Ohio. Couch, a 12-year-old, is the youngest prospect ever signed to a National Letter of Intent at Xavier. Trey and his parents, Gina and Greg, are thrilled with the Xavier offer. “I couldn’t be more excited to join my new teammates in the locker room and on the court,” said Trey.

Trey Couch is now part of the Xavier Basketball Family thanks to Team IMPACT, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses by establishing and expanding vibrant team-based support networks.

“This is a great opportunity for our team,” said Mack. “Sometimes we look at our everyday challenges and think we have it tough. We try to teach our student-athletes that there are a lot stiffer challenges that other people have to face.”

In October 2010, Trey was diagnosed with Cerebellar Degeneration - a neurodegenerative disease that currently has no cure. The illness greatly impacts the cerebellum, the area that controls coordination and balance, and over time it will lead to muscle deterioration throughout his body. There has been very little research done on Cerebellar Degeneration and with that, there is no strict protocol to follow in treating it. Instead, Trey and his team of doctors are constantly playing defense, addressing the symptoms and health challenges as they present themselves. Though it has been very frustrating to lose his physical strength and coordination, as part of the Xavier Basketball team he will be given the opportunity that he once could only have dreamed of - to be a true member of a Division I men's basketball team.

According to Trey, his favorite number is 15, which happens to be the jersey number of freshmanMyles Davis. Trey received a No. 12 jersey and shorts today.